Strange Houses by Uketsu Summary, Characters and Themes
Strange Houses by Uketsu is a chilling psychological thriller that delves into the dark past and eerie mysteries surrounding certain houses and the families who inhabit them. The story follows a freelance writer who is drawn into an investigation concerning a peculiar house with an unsettling design, which seems to harbor secrets of violence, murder, and family tragedy.
As the investigation deepens, the writer uncovers disturbing patterns in the house’s structure and links them to a series of murders. The house becomes more than just a setting; it’s a symbol of familial secrets and hidden horrors, leading the characters to face terrifying truths about their connections to the sinister events.
Summary
The story begins with the narrator, a freelance writer specializing in the macabre, recounting a meeting with his friend Yanaoka, who, along with his wife, was house-hunting in September 2019. They discovered a two-story house that appeared perfect, except for a strange feature: a “dead space” between the kitchen and living room, which was entirely inaccessible.
When the couple inquired about it with the realtors, they received no satisfactory explanation, leaving them both uneasy. Yanaoka, concerned, reached out to the narrator for help.
To investigate, the narrator consults his architect friend, Kurihara. Kurihara observes that the dead space was likely the result of two walls intentionally built to make the kitchen smaller than necessary, possibly indicating an unfinished storage area.
However, he also examines the house’s second floor, particularly the child’s room, which raises alarm. This room is devoid of windows and has two doors leading to a small vestibule outside, along with an en-suite toilet.
Kurihara hypothesizes that this room was designed to hide and control the child, potentially in an abusive context. He further speculates that the parents might have deliberately concealed the child to prevent anyone from knowing of their existence.
Kurihara’s analysis becomes more troubling as he explores the layout of the second floor. The proximity of the master bedroom to a shower, along with two bathrooms—one of which has no windows—adds to the unsettling atmosphere, making it appear as though the house was designed to serve some sinister purpose.
The narrator becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea that the dead space might actually be a hidden passage, possibly linking the child’s room to the bathroom below. He imagines that the child might use this secret passage to move between rooms undetected, particularly when taking a bath.
As he delves deeper into these speculations, darker theories form in his mind, such as the house being constructed for murder.
Kurihara, indulging in a dark thought, suggests that the family might have used the house to kill guests. He envisions a horrifying scenario where the child, hidden away in the room, serves as a lure to unsuspecting victims, drawing them into the bathroom, where they are murdered while vulnerable.
The house’s strange design, with its concealed spaces and lack of windows, could allow such acts to go unnoticed.
The narrator’s unease intensifies when he learns that Yanaoka and his wife decided against purchasing the house after hearing about a dismembered body found near the property. The body, horrifyingly, was missing its left hand, a detail strikingly similar to that of Yanaoka’s missing friend.
The narrative takes a darker turn when the narrator, now consumed by the mystery, publishes an article detailing the house’s strange features, without revealing its location. A reader, Yuzuki Miyae, contacts the narrator, claiming that the house might be connected to the disappearance and death of her husband, Kyoichi Miyae.
Miyae reveals that her husband went missing three years ago, and his dismembered body was recently found, also lacking a left hand. She suspects the house may have been the last place her husband visited before his disappearance.
The story then shifts focus to the investigation of the house’s past. The narrator learns that the house in Saitama, which Miyae suspects is connected to the murders, is no longer available for sale, having burned down.
When the narrator visits the site, he finds only an empty lot. However, his curiosity grows, and he continues to analyze the house’s layout, focusing on a triangular room in the Saitama house, which seems like a later addition.
Kurihara suggests the house may have concealed a cellar, perhaps used to store bodies, further complicating the investigation.
As the narrator digs deeper, he uncovers more unsettling details that suggest the family living in the house may have been involved in a series of murders. The houses’ designs, with hidden rooms, passageways, and discrepancies in their layouts, point to a disturbing truth.
The family might have intentionally constructed the house to conceal their gruesome activities. The author’s investigation intensifies, especially after learning that Miyae is not actually married to Kyoichi but is, in fact, Yuzuki Katabuchi, the sister of a woman named Ayano, who had vanished years ago.
Yuzuki confesses that Ayano’s family had been living in the Tokyo house, which also shares eerie similarities with the Saitama house. Yuzuki uncovers the dark link between her sister’s family and a history of murders, suggesting that the two houses were part of a larger, sinister plan.
Further research into Ayano’s family history reveals disturbing facts about the Katabuchi clan, a family with a long-standing tradition of ritualistic violence and murder. The family’s dark legacy includes a mysterious ritual known as the “Offering of the Left Hand,” in which family members are compelled to murder others in their bloodline.
The story takes a chilling turn as the narrator learns about Ayano’s role in the family’s twisted past. The houses themselves, with their hidden spaces and peculiar layouts, seem to have been designed to facilitate these murderous acts.
The investigation leads to more revelations, as it becomes clear that Ayano’s family had been trapped in a cycle of murder and manipulation, unable to escape their legacy. The houses, with their secrets and eerie designs, become symbols of a family caught in a web of lies, guilt, and bloodshed.
The haunting mystery of the two houses continues to unfold, with the narrator caught in the terrifying realization that the truth behind the murders may be even darker than he had ever imagined.

Characters
The Narrator
The narrator in Strange Houses is a freelance writer with a deep fascination for the macabre, who unwittingly becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding the strange house. His intellectual curiosity and investigative nature drive him to unravel the sinister aspects of the property.
Though he is initially skeptical, the narrator becomes obsessed with the house’s dark history, propelled by his need to understand the bizarre details and the chilling connections that emerge. He is also portrayed as an empathetic character, sensitive to the unsettling discoveries he makes, particularly when it comes to the tragic fate of others involved.
His growing unease as he delves deeper into the mystery of the house and its possible connection to murder shows his vulnerability and internal conflict. This character serves as the lens through which the reader is exposed to the unfolding horrors, acting as both an investigator and a narrator who begins to question his own beliefs about the nature of the events.
Yanaoka
Yanaoka is the friend of the narrator who brings the eerie mystery of the house to light. His involvement in the story begins when he seeks the narrator’s assistance in understanding the strange feature of the house he and his wife are considering purchasing.
Yanaoka is initially portrayed as someone unsure of the house’s true nature, even as he becomes increasingly disturbed by the peculiarities he observes. His sense of unease is palpable as he confides in the narrator, highlighting his vulnerability and desire for answers.
Yanaoka’s character seems to represent an everyman who, upon encountering something beyond comprehension, seeks help from a more knowledgeable source. His decision to ultimately reject the house after the body of a dismembered person is discovered near the property reflects a pivotal turning point in his character arc, as he moves from curiosity to horror and self-preservation.
Kurihara
Kurihara is an architect and friend of the narrator who becomes instrumental in uncovering the secrets of the strange house. His professional expertise allows him to provide insights into the design and layout of the house, highlighting oddities that the average observer might miss.
Kurihara’s role in the story is not just limited to his technical knowledge, but also his willingness to entertain darker theories about the house’s true purpose. His speculations regarding the hidden child in the house and the possibility of the family using it for malicious purposes create an eerie atmosphere throughout the investigation.
His intellectual curiosity and dark imagination bring an unsettling depth to the narrative, showing that even professionals like him can be drawn into the macabre world the house represents. Kurihara, like the narrator, is deeply affected by the disturbing revelations, showing how even those accustomed to seeing the world through a rational lens can be shattered by the horror lurking beneath the surface.
Yuzuki Miyae
Yuzuki Miyae plays a crucial role in advancing the mystery of Strange Houses by connecting her husband’s tragic fate to the house in question. Initially, she appears as a grieving widow, desperate for answers about her husband Kyoichi’s mysterious death.
Yuzuki’s personal connection to the house—through her belief that it might hold the key to understanding Kyoichi’s demise—adds a deeply emotional and tragic layer to the story. Her revelation that she is not actually married to Kyoichi but is instead the sister of a woman who had disappeared years earlier adds complexity to her character, showing a willingness to manipulate truth to get closer to her goal.
As she delves deeper into the mystery, Yuzuki’s motivations become clearer: she seeks closure not only for herself but also for the family secrets that have been hidden for years. Her personal connection to the house makes her an essential figure in the investigation, and her character undergoes a transformation as she uncovers painful truths about her family and its connection to the sinister happenings.
Ayano (Yuzuki’s Sister)
Ayano, as Yuzuki’s sister, holds a significant yet enigmatic role in the mystery. She was once a part of the family that seemed to live an ordinary life but gradually becomes embroiled in the dark history of the Katabuchi family.
Ayano’s disappearance and reappearance later in life suggest a troubled past, which, as Yuzuki investigates, is tied to sinister family secrets. Ayano’s marriage and her seemingly normal life hide a twisted truth that involves manipulation and sacrifice within the family.
Her eventual reentry into the cycle of murder and ritualistic violence deepens the tragic nature of her character. She is a pawn in a much larger game, caught in the web of family legacy and cursed rituals.
Ayano’s actions, and the grim fate that she ultimately meets, expose the emotional and psychological toll of being born into such a family, where even the most innocent members become players in a horrific drama of murder and secrecy.
Shizuko Katabuchi
Shizuko Katabuchi emerges as one of the central figures in the dark tradition that plagues the Katabuchi family. Her motivations are driven by a desperate desire to secure her son’s future, even at the cost of manipulating those around her.
Her cunning and ruthlessness become evident as she orchestrates the murders within her family to remove obstacles to her son’s inheritance. Shizuko’s role in the family’s bloody history is integral, as she is the one who orders the killings of her own relatives to ensure her child’s success.
Her character embodies the destructive nature of ambition and the moral decay that comes with prioritizing one’s personal gain over the lives of others. Throughout the story, Shizuko’s machinations reveal the corrupting influence of power and how far someone will go to maintain control over their family’s dark legacy.
Soichiro Katabuchi
Soichiro Katabuchi is another pivotal character, deeply entwined in the complex rituals of his family. As the head of the family, Soichiro is tormented by the legacy of violence and manipulation that has been passed down through generations.
His trauma, stemming from the constant fear of a curse and the pressure to maintain his family’s power, drives him to commit heinous acts, albeit under the guidance and influence of others like Shizuko and Rankyo. His psychological and moral decline is marked by his increasing involvement in the family’s murderous rituals.
Soichiro’s character represents the tragedy of a man who is trapped by his bloodline’s legacy and forced to perpetuate violence out of fear and manipulation.
Keita
Keita, Ayano’s husband, is an active participant in the complex narrative surrounding the Katabuchi family’s dark history. Driven by his love and desire to protect his family, he attempts to break free from the vicious cycle of murder and ritual.
Keita’s character is marked by his resourcefulness and desperation as he seeks ways to shield his children from the horrific fate that seems inevitable due to their connection to the Katabuchi bloodline. His actions, though initially well-intentioned, eventually lead him down a dark path where his desperation to protect his family culminates in violence.
Keita’s tragic role highlights the consequences of trying to escape a family’s cursed legacy, and his moral and emotional downfall serves as a poignant reminder of the inescapability of the past.
Rankyo
Rankyo is a mystic who plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Katabuchi family’s dark rituals continue. As a figure deeply embedded in the family’s spiritual and supernatural traditions, Rankyo serves as both a catalyst and enforcer for the family’s violent customs.
Her influence over Soichiro and her manipulation of the family’s members further entrenches the horrific practices within the household. Rankyo represents the supernatural forces that seem to guide and control the family’s destiny, showing how deeply entrenched the family’s curse is.
She is portrayed as a manipulative and sinister figure, whose allegiance to the family’s traditions perpetuates the cycle of violence and ritualistic sacrifice.
Themes
Family Legacy and Inherited Guilt
The theme of family legacy plays a central role in Strange Houses, where the actions of previous generations continue to haunt and shape the lives of their descendants. The Katabuchi family’s dark legacy, in particular, is a key element that drives the plot forward.
From the mysterious and ritualistic “Offering of the Left Hand” to the manipulation and violent acts carried out across generations, the family is trapped in a cycle of inherited guilt and trauma. This legacy is not just a matter of familial pride or tradition but is instead deeply tied to violence, murder, and a struggle for power.
The curse that haunts the family seems almost inescapable, with each new generation subjected to the same horrifying rituals that were forced upon their ancestors. The desire for power, control, and survival pushes each member to partake in this violent legacy, even if they are deeply reluctant.
The story exposes how the weight of the past can shape individual choices, particularly when it comes to decisions involving murder, manipulation, and the preservation of family secrets. The constant struggle to break free from this inherited cycle of violence becomes a defining feature of the characters’ lives.
In the end, it raises profound questions about the burden of family history, the consequences of past actions, and whether one can ever truly escape the legacy of their forebears.
The Supernatural and Unseen Forces
The supernatural elements within Strange Houses add a layer of unease to the narrative, blending the psychological and physical horrors that the characters endure. The seemingly innocuous features of the houses—strange room configurations, hidden passageways, and rooms without windows—hint at something far darker.
The supernatural force, while not overtly stated, seems to act as a driving force behind the family’s actions, suggesting that there may be an external, almost cursed influence over their lives. The houses themselves act as symbols of the family’s twisted past, their layouts reflective of the dark secrets that lie within.
Even the deaths, including that of Yoichi and the mysterious dismemberment, take on an otherworldly tone, as though the family members are being guided—or forced—by malevolent forces. These supernatural forces aren’t just about the physical manifestation of terror but also represent a more profound sense of fatalism and inevitability that traps the family members in their cursed lives.
This sense of an unseen presence, watching, guiding, or influencing decisions, amplifies the psychological terror experienced by the characters, particularly Yuzuki and Katabuchi, as they try to understand the truth behind the strange events and the family’s history.
Psychological Manipulation and Control
Another significant theme in Strange Houses is the psychological manipulation and control exercised by the characters, often to the detriment of their own mental health and morality. This manipulation is evident in the complex relationships within the Katabuchi family, where power struggles, deceit, and coercion shape the actions of key figures.
Shizuko’s manipulative actions, for example, illustrate how she uses her influence over her husband Soichiro and other family members to secure her son’s future, even at the cost of others’ lives. The desire for power within the family is not just about wealth or status, but the control over life and death itself.
This theme is further exemplified by the way in which children are coerced into participating in the horrific family rituals, often through fear or loyalty to their parents. The twisted dynamics of control within the Katabuchi family demonstrate how manipulation can be passed down through generations, leading to a cycle of emotional abuse, guilt, and violence.
The family’s inability to break free from these manipulative tactics highlights the psychological toll of their actions, leading to a life dominated by fear, guilt, and a desperate need for survival. This sense of control, whether exercised through ritual, threat, or emotional coercion, is a constant force in the narrative, shaping the characters’ lives and decisions.
Isolation and Alienation
Isolation is another profound theme that runs through the events of Strange Houses, particularly in how it affects the characters’ psychological and emotional states. The houses themselves, with their hidden rooms, dead spaces, and architectural oddities, symbolize the isolation that the characters experience in their own lives.
Yuzuki and Katabuchi’s search for the truth is marked by a sense of separation—not only from the rest of society but also from their own families. Their efforts to uncover the past often leave them in a state of emotional alienation, disconnected from those they care about and the world around them.
This sense of isolation is further emphasized by the physical confinement within the houses, where rooms without windows, dead spaces, and concealed passageways suggest that the family members are trapped, both physically and emotionally, within the dark histories of their homes. The feeling of being cut off from the truth, from each other, and from a sense of normalcy is ever-present, making the characters’ journeys not just external but also deeply internal.
As they navigate the mysteries and horrors of their past, their isolation grows more profound, and the sense that they are trapped in a web of family secrets and unspoken trauma becomes inescapable.
The Corruption of Innocence
The theme of the corruption of innocence is depicted through the tragic fates of the children in Strange Houses, who are drawn into the family’s violent legacy from a young age. The children, such as Momota, Asata, and others, are manipulated into participating in rituals that demand the sacrifice of another family member.
This loss of innocence is starkly portrayed through the horrific acts they are forced to commit, all while trying to survive the oppressive legacy of their family. The house itself, with its hidden rooms and dark secrets, represents the way in which the children are shut off from the outside world and forced to participate in a violent and cruel tradition.
The innocence of youth, usually associated with purity and growth, is corrupted within the walls of the Katabuchi family home, where murder and manipulation replace love and care. As the children are coerced into carrying out horrific acts of violence, they lose their humanity, becoming mere tools in the hands of a family trapped in its own dark history.
This theme highlights the destructive impact that a toxic family legacy can have on the most vulnerable members of society, particularly the innocent children who are born into a world of fear and manipulation.
Morality and Survival
Strange Houses raises profound questions about morality, survival, and the lengths to which one can go to protect oneself or one’s family. Characters such as Keita, who struggles to protect his wife Ayano and their children from the family’s dark past, are forced to confront ethical dilemmas that blur the line between right and wrong.
Keita’s eventual violent actions in an attempt to protect his family—leading to the deaths of Shigeharu and Kiyotsugu—highlight the desperation that arises when survival becomes the primary concern. The characters’ choices are frequently governed by their need to survive the deadly legacy of the Katabuchi family, where every action is driven by a need to escape the manipulation, violence, and death that haunt them.
The question of morality becomes complicated as the characters make increasingly difficult decisions, such as killing to protect loved ones or choosing self-preservation over justice. This theme forces the reader to question whether morality is truly black and white, or whether circumstances can justify actions that would otherwise be considered immoral.
The survival instinct ultimately drives the characters to make sacrifices, and in doing so, they demonstrate the extent to which one’s environment and familial pressures can shape one’s moral compass.